Summer Chanterelles

With wild strawberry and spearmint on my tongue, and chanterelles on my mind, I walk past the sun-splashed frog pond and into a dark glade of spruce. I’m back in familiar territory, having recently returned to northern Vermont after a stint in the southern Green Mountains.

I have not forgotten my spots, and it seems the chanterelles haven’t forgotten me, either. Dozens of flakes of gold, no bigger than fingernails, stud the soil like a fine necklace. Just where I expected them to be, the chanterelles cut through time and welcome me back home. With my chanterelle eyes on, I wander into a beech and maple grove and discover another dozen hearty new chanterelles. They’ll need at least another week to mature – chanterelles take their time.

The woods don’t need a calendar to know we’re safely into the sweet hours of summer. Warm soils and relentless rain have created prime conditions for summer porcini and early golden chanterelles. Meanwhile, oysters and reishi are ready for harvest throughout the region.

Chicken of the woods and giant puffballs have made early and impressive showings, but it’s not just edibles that enjoy the warm rains. Poisonous fly agarics and deadly destroying angels are back, too – bold reminders of the vital imperative of safe, prudent and ethical wildcrafting.

Northeastern ForageCast for the next two weeks!